Hearts owner Ann Budge gives update on new £12 million main stand progress

Hearts owner Ann Budge admits she is hoping the club’s new £12 million main stand will be operational by September 9.

The steel trust above the existing stand has been in place since the start of February, while preparatory work outside the ground is continuing.

The Tynecastle outfit plan to fulfil this season’s remaining fixtures at home and are set to ask the SPFL if they can play their matches at the start of next term away from Gorgie.

Despite the scale of the project in building the new 7,000 capacity structure, Budge is confident of adhering to the timetable that has been set.

Budge said: “The plan sees the erection of the structural steel and concrete behind the main stand commencing early April, with a target of completion of the end of May.

“Before we put in the new seating, we have to demolish the existing main stand. In line with our objective of continuing to play all our home this season at Tynecastle, the demolition of the old stand is scheduled to begin in mid-May; after we have played our last game of the season here.

“All supporter areas, including toilet facilities, concourse catering facilities, turnstiles, staircases, lifts, escalators – everything needed to allow our supporters to safely attend home games is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

“Our plan is to be open for business on 9th September 2017.”

Even though Hearts plan to be hosting matches by September, Budge admits work will not be completed behind the scenes.

She added: “The next key target date is mid-January 2018, at which point our new hospitality suites will hopefully all be completed, along with new player changing facilities.”